Malawi: Two Arrested for Vandalizing MTL Cables

Salima — Salima Police on Thursday arrested two people whom they found possessing 80 kilogrammes cables of Malawi Telecommunications Limited suspected to have been vandalized from the underground line in Senga-Bay in the district.

Salima police public relations officer, Gift Chitowe, said the two suspects Davie Chimala, 30, and Richard Butao, 38, were apprehended at Kaphatenga Road-block aboard a minibus which was to ferry them to Lilongwe.

"Police received a call from MTL that their cables were vandalized on 7 April at Senga-Bay and police was since very alert. On Thursday the two suspects were arrested as they intended to smuggle the stolen cables out of the district ," said Chitowe.

"When the bus arrived at the road block the Police officers took their routine searches and end up discovering the suspicious cables and quickly made the arrests before Salima MTL officers were invited to identify the cables," said Chitowe.

Chitowe said when MTL officers were invited they identified the cables as theirs that were vandalized in Senga-Bay on Monday night.

Chitowe said the two would be taken to court to be charged for theft.

According to Chitowe, Chimala comes from Zidana village, T/A Ganya while Butao Sabwera village Senior Chief Kwataine in Ntcheu district.

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